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Chuck Pagano pleased with Indianapolis Colts' progress, Andrew Luck's play

By Tom James, The Sports Xchange
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano watches from the sidelines in the second quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-10 victory at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on December 6, 2015. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano watches from the sidelines in the second quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers 45-10 victory at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on December 6, 2015. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI | License Photo

INDIANAPOLIS -- After two preseason games, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano can acknowledge a few things.

First of all, Pagano saw some improvement over the team's opening preseason appearance versus the previous week's game at Buffalo. Secondly, he liked what he saw out of quarterback Andrew Luck, who made his preseason debut with a crisp performance in two offensive possessions in a 19-18 loss to Baltimore on Saturday.

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And, finally, he knows there's still a lot of work to be done over the final two preseason games, starting with Saturday night's home meeting with Philadelphia (7 p.m. ET)

"I thought there were some really good things in (the Ravens) game, in all three phases," Pagano said. "I talked about running it and stopping the run and I think we are going to look at this tape and see some good things on both sides of the ball.

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"When it comes to that, you take the quarterback out of it. (But) we've got to get that shored up as far as the scrambles and things like that. I think they had 40 yards rushing from the quarterback spot, so I think we are better there."

As for what he saw from Luck, who played in his first game since being sidelined Nov. 8 with a lacerated kidney, there were plenty of positives.

"I think (Luck) came in and for the first time out in a long time, I think he did a nice job," Pagano said. "I think he did a nice job managing the offense. (He) made good decisions, 8-for-8 (passing) to start the game was good and two nice drives."

Luck appeared to get rid of the football quicker than in previous seasons. That's been a point of emphasis during the offseason and during training camp.

"They've worked really hard on that clock in his head," Pagano said. "You can sit and wait and wait and wait and hold that thing too long.

"I think our guys up front, that starting unit and the couple guys that came in did a really nice job of giving him some time. He is not turning down a profit, so if things aren't there down the field then go ahead and hit your check down."

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And then there were the areas that still need to be shored up.

"We shot ourselves in the foot (in the first two possessions of the game)," Pagano said. "The penalties, it is just unacceptable. That is on me.

"I have to get that fixed. (We) can't drive down the length of the field and be in the red area inside the 10-yard line and have a false start and another penalty and have to settle for a field goal. And then drive down again and then turn the ball over inside the red area. That just can't happen."

NOTES: DT Henry Anderson (knee) has been activated off the Colts' PUP list and will begin in-field work with the team. Anderson was injured Nov. 8 against Denver and had been undergoing rehab since the start of training camp. He underwent knee surgery last November. Pagano said that Anderson needs to get 1-on-1 reps in practice. He added that the coaching and training staffs will be smart about how quickly they bring him along in practice. ... CB Patrick Robinson left last Saturday's game versus Baltimore late in the first quarter with a groin injury and did not return. Robinson will be listed as day-to-day for practice. His status for Saturday night's contest with Philadelphia and the final preseason game at Cincinnati remains in doubt. ... OG/OT Joe Haeg injured an ankle injury in the second quarter of Saturday's game against Baltimore and did not return. Haeg is week-to-week and is not expected to be available to play against Philadelphia on Saturday night.

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